KPFT Notes

Dead Air and Pat and Rosie’s Night Sounds present:

The 6th Annual Thanks Bob Celebration
Dan Electro’s Guitar Bar (1031 E. 24th Street, in the Heights)

The fun, drinks and music start at 6 PM
on Saturday, June 6, ‘09

Tickets are ONLY $20.00 at the door
with all proceeds benefiting community radio KPFT 90.1 FM.

6th Annual Dylan Celebration

Confirmed Performers:

Luke and the Drifters
Third Ear
Los Vertigos
Craig Kinsey
Psychodillos
Fahl & Folk

……and at 10 PM:
The Austin Lounge Lizards

Since March 2005 (about the time I became PD), I have maintained KPFT Notes as a blog on station issues. This week, I am spinning off some of the materials to my own site while keeping KPFT Notes primarily focused on station oriented announcements, news, etc. for programmers as well as listeners. I am also hoping to secure submissions from others on occasion.

What qualifies for KPFT Notes? Essentially anything having to do with daily station operations and information. I expect to cover some Pacifica/internal stuff at my own site as well as topics I have offered before here, such as diversity in media, topical discussions and media justice. My first post should be happening this week with a review of the new Greg Guma series, “Real Life on Planet Pacifica,” the remix of his original “Planet Pacifica: An Inside Story.” Greg Guma, who was Pacifica’s Executive Director for a short period, posted the first installment Monday.

Tune in to KPFT News at 5 today for analysis of the selection of Sonia Sotomayor to the Supreme Court post being vacated by Judge David Souter.

Sonia Sotomayor, if confirmed, would be the first individual of Latin American descent chosen for the country’s top court.  She is currently a federal appeals judge.

Wikipedia info on Sotomayor is here.

Today’s community partner is Nameless Sound. Skip that pledge-drive gift and a portion of your pledge-drive gift helps this organization.

Nameless Sound was established in 2001 to present the best of international contemporary music and to support the exploration of new methods in arts education.

Nameless Sound presents concerts by premiere artists in the world of creative music. In addition, Nameless Sound artists work directly with students from Houston’s public schools, community centers, and homeless shelters. Nameless Sound’s educational work helps to nurture a new generation of artists and inspire tomorrow’s creative thinkers.

Pledge by calling 713-526-KPFT.

Today’s community partner is Lone Star Legal Aid, a non-profit law firm operating as the fourth largest legal aid organization of its type in the United States.

LSLA provides free civil legal assistance to low-income individuals and families who have immediate needs but cannot afford an attorney. The firm serves approximately 1.5 million eligible persons in both rural and urban communities.

The group’s service area covers one-third of the state, almost 60,000 square miles and 72 counties in the eastern and Gulf Coast regions of Texas, and also four counties of southwest Arkansas. In 2007, LSLA handled 19,667 cases.

If you skip your premium, a portion of proceeds go to LSLA. Pledge at kpft.org or by calling 713-526-KPFT.

One of the greatest challenges of fund drive in addition to getting the phones to ring, involves having enough volunteers to answer these phones while you are working so hard to meet and beat the goal for your show. In order to make it more inviting for people to volunteer, the KPFT Outreach Committee are working to build on a list of restaurants that provide Lunches and Dinners for these Volunteers and you too! You can help!

Please make note of restaurants within a few miles of the station (to allow an easy pickup) and share the restaurant name and contact name so we can set them up! It’s that easy. It works! We have already had success from a new vendor who was a referral.

Please email me, Melinda Iley-Dohn, at (iley-dohn@yahoo.com) Eddie Garcia (eddie@kpft.org) or Robin Lewis (robin@kpft.org),

Free Speech Radio News, a half-hour daily news show, is searching for a qualified candidate to fill the Assistant Technical Producer position. This position is 20-25 hours per week, 10:00am – 3:00pm Monday through Friday. The position is located at KPFA 94.1 FM in Berkeley, California.

The Technical Producers are responsible for assembling the final newscast. This is a key role in the post-production process and the Tech Producer’s skill determines the quality and delivery of the daily newscast. This position works independently, and closely with the Producers, Headlines Editor, Host and Reporters to meet broadcast quality requirements. S/he has full and complete understanding of high-end radio production, and also has demonstrable knowledge of digital audio editing systems and audio recording equipment. The successful candidate must be able to calmly and effectively problem solve under extreme deadline pressure.

Responsibilities:

1-Assures professional quality productions and smooth execution of projects by planning, organizing, instructing reporters and staff, implementing proper audio techniques, coordinating and scheduling pre-production, production and post-production with appropriate personnel.
2-Downloads incoming audio from FSRN’s upload page. Monitors audio quality and communicates with Producers and Reporters of sound that does not meet broadcast quality standards.
3-Continually works with reporters, improving their audio recording techniques and also suggests equipment upgrades. Also, troubleshoots various audio-editing, computer and ftp setups over the phone and/or via email.
4-Assembles/edits incoming news segments. Records phoners, 2-ways and voice-overs when needed. Also, actively listens to content, and reports any inaccuracies to the producers and reporters for corrections.
5-Works efficiently and with speed and is capable of recording/assembling multiple segments daily and under time constraints. Maintains and adheres to predetermined production constraints, deadlines and quality standards. Assists the Technical Producers in timing out the daily newscast.
6 Communicates with Web Host regarding technical problems related to FSRN’s website and audio upload page.
7-Assembles the daily newscast and prepares it for the 1 pm PST national broadcast. Monitors the webstream and the 1:45, 2:30, 3:00 and 3:30 pm PST Satellite feeds.
8- Communicates with producers on the status of incoming news segments and the status of the show. Producers are located mainly in VA, so communication is via phone, email or online chat.
9-Updates www.fsrn.org daily, using ftp and Drupal content management system. Uploads the newscast audio and leads text for affiliate stations and online listeners. Troubleshoots any technical issue via phone or email.
10-Maintains a back-up archive of all finished FSRN newscasts on an external hard drive, clears out old files.
11-Recruits and trains possible fill-in Tech Producers. Also, writes-up/re-writes guidelines for recording, mixing, uploading and other technical material when filing news stories for FSRN.

Qualifications for the position include:

1-Ability to multi-task, organize and meet scheduled deadlines in an fast paced news environment. Capable of prioritizing work assignments in a deadline and detail oriented environment.
2-Good communication skills and works well in a team.
3-Experience with studio quality digital audio editing systems, especially Soundforge. Also, proficiency in Drupal (CMS), mysql, wikis, ssh, and other web tools needed to expand FSRN’s online presence, manage data, and provide encryption for online donations highly preferred.
4-Ability to operate audio equipment used for productions.
5-Ability to work under deadline and extreme stress. Excellent organizational skills and the ability to work under pressure and duress to complete work assignments under time and budget constraints and otherwise adverse conditions encountered during routine productions.
6-Ability to frequently use repetitive motions of the wrist, hands and/or fingers.
7-Commitment to the FSRN newscast and progressive news. Also, the desire to help govern the diverse worker run collective consisting of 13 staff members and about 200 reporters. Must maintain a positive work atmosphere by behaving and communicating in a manner that works well with co-workers, reporters, affiliates and listeners.
8- Strong computer skills and ability to learn new computer programs quickly.
9-Strong command of English language and ability to proofread scripts for grammatical errors.

Desired qualities:

*2 years broadcast newsroom production experience.
*Knowledge of languages other than English

Those interested in applying for the position should submit the following:

1) A cover letter describing the applicant’s interest in the position that will highlight their qualifications
2) A resume
3) Three references

People of color, queer people, transgendered people, women, differently-abled people, working class people and others traditionally excluded from newsroooms are especially encouraged to apply.

Deadline for applications is June 1st, 2009. There will be an audio editing test during the week of interviews at our Berkeley location. The position would begin with a month of training starting July 13th, 2009. Please send a resume, cover letter and references to jobs.fsrn@gmail.com.

Those pledging today and foregoing your pledge gift ensure a portion of your gift will serve a local nonprofit. Today’s community partner is the Musicians Benevolent Society of Houston.

MBS is a tax-exempt, 501c3 Texas corporation that provides professional musicians with up to $1,000 in temporary financial assistance for medical emergencies. Since 1990, MBS of Houston has made gifts in the blues, classical, jazz, Latin, rock and Texas music communities in the greater Houston area. Assistance through December 2008 totals $71,400 impacting 190 musicians and their families. Funds are commonly used for mortgage or rent payments, utility bills, medical insurance deductibles, non-covered medical expenses, special health needs and medical equipment rentals, prescription medicines, doctors’ bills, end-of-life care, and funeral expenses.

Most people know the Houston Institute for Culture for great public programs, like Juneteenth at Miller Outdoor Theater and important documentary film screenings at area theaters. You may not know that Houston Institute for Culture provides important youth programs and other beneficial social services to improve quality of life in the city.

“Youth Voices” promotes cultural exchange and media accessibility, as well as positive uses of computers and Internet. It gives youth the tools they need to be effective community advocates.

“Students for a Better Houston” is a serious-minded student organization dedicated to making Houston a better place for future generations.

“Camp Dos Cabezas” provides children from at-risk communities with the experience of a lifetime to help them achieve success in their lives.

When you make a pledge today and pass on a thank-you gift, a portion of your pledge goes to the HIFC.

Those who follow my Twitter posts may have seen me post this a day ago, but in case you missed it, the Indypendent has a good piece on the conflict ongoing at our sister station WBAI. In part:

Pacifica was founded as the world’s first listener-sponsored radio network in 1949 by World War II-era draft resisters who dreamed of using the airwaves to “contribute to a lasting understanding between nations and between the individuals of all nations, races, creeds and colors.” And while the network has been a haven for marginalized voices during its six decades of existence, it has also been plagued by internal strife throughout much of its history. The feuding has been particularly intense in recent years at WBAI. Supporters and critics of the station’s leadership have vied for control of the Local Station Board (LSB), a 24- member body elected by listeners and staff.

View the whole piece here.